Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1918 — BIDDING FOR LABOR [ARTICLE]

BIDDING FOR LABOR

The most serious problem that confronts this country these days is that of labor and labor prices. As the former becomes scarcer, the latter rise, until already in many lines the workmen are drawing wages that shame a congressman’s salary. We are told that this is unavoidable—but is it? When we get a close-up view of labor conditions we are inclined to believe much of tlie great rise in wages is unnecessary. Not that we would for one moment oppose an honest wage for any workman, but that all must admit that the matter is becoming serious, . Perhaps the most pernicious in--11 uexrce in th€ labor situation is that of competitive bidding for labor. This is particularly noticeable in industries engaged in producing government supplies. Whenever, in these industries, there arises any scarcity of the labor supply, wages are immediately forced up a notch. It is no uncommon thing to hear men who, only a short while ago, ound it difficult to earn a dollar a day, boasting oU six, eight and ten, and eagerly looking out for offers even higher. Tlie natural result of these com ditious is that in many lines labor has become so scarce *as to seriously threaten their continued operation. In many lines of industry these abnormal wages are an impossibility. It would .mean bankruptcy. But to some extent they must be met, and the problem is—how.? '

If our government will kindly inform us how the farmer, for instance, is to retain a man who is offered eight or ten dollars a day on some government or semi-gov-ernment works, it will confer a great boon to the million of perplexed agriculturists—and others. Must the remedy be government regulation of wages?